Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Edward George HEXTALL SX8285
Edward was a country boy born in Auburn in the Clare Valley on 8th June, 1920. His parents were Samuel George and Elizabeth Jessie (nee East) Hextall both of whom had grown up in Auburn. Edward, or Teddy as he affectionately became known, had seven siblings; six sisters and a brother, Marion, Joyce, Phyllis, Irene Masie, Winnifred, Kathie and William (Billie).
In an horrific accident just days after Teddy’s second birthday in 1922, his four-year-old sister, Irene died of severe burns to her back having fallen into a tub of water that had just been used to scald a pig. She was interned in the Auburn Cemetery.
Life in a country town certainly had its challenges which were quickly shared in the newspapers. Teddy’s father recounted an incident when he was shovelling road rubble and felt something cold on his neck. At the end of the day while washing his face he found the culprit; a centipede under his shirt collar. The ‘Kapunda Herald’ reported that ‘To say that he hit the roof is to put it mildly’. Teddy’s sister Joyce also had an altercation in a horse and buggy when returning from a social in the Methodist Hall. She and a friend, Gwen Sandow, were thrown from the buggy when the horse ran into a pile of stones, with the horse bolting off in fright. The girls stayed at a nearly home for the night but by morning Gwen was still unconscious resulting in several days hospitalisation. Fortunately, the horse was recovered.
Post school Teddy became a wood merchant providing for the local families. Just after his 20th birthday he enlisted at Clare on the 24th June, as a result of a country drive for enlistees. He then travelled to Wayville where he was allocated the number SX8285 in the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. Initial days were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds, however Teddy developed an abscess on his neck which required treatment. Following this he and the other new enlistees headed to Woodside for their preliminary training.
After brief leave back in Auburn with his family, the large contingent embarked on the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940. On the voyage, Teddy was hospitalised before arriving on the 19th December 1940. Unfortunately he then contracted mumps so was treated initially in a British Hospital before having time in a New Zealand Convalescing Depot before returning to his battalion at the end of January.
His 2/48th Battalion completed a few months training in Cyrenaica before going to Tobruk at the start of April 1941 where the dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment were quite a challenge to these fresh new enlistees.
Within four months of arriving in the Middle East, Teddie was killed in action on the 18th April 1941, two months before his 21st birthday. John G Glenn in his book ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’ describes conditions that George faced. ‘The whole day B Company was again harassed by very accurate mortar fire. One mortar bomb made a direct hit on the pit occupied by the stretcher bearers and a B Company driver, who were waiting to go forward to tend to the wounded. Five of them were killed and two were wounded, one of them dying later in the day.’
His record indicates that he was buried by his fellow comrades in Grave Number 163 in the Tobruk War Cemetery the following day. Back home, the ‘Sydney Morning Herald’ of 6th May ’41 reported that the Army Department had released the largest A I.F. casualty list since the war began. Thirteen men had been killed in action. Besides Teddy, these included Pte George Dickinson SX7649 of Peterborough, Pte Wallace Dunn SX6958 from Wayville, Pte Frederick Macnamara SX7418 from Kingston, Pte Alan Riebe SX9241 from Waikerie Pte Colin Tucker SX8578 of Adelaide and Pte Lionel van Den Brink SX7279 of Richmond. These young men were all part of the 2/48th, which was to become one of the most highly decimated but decorated Battalions by War’s end.
After consultation with his grieving family, the inscription on his headstone at the Tobruk War Cemetery, read ‘Teddy, He Died as He Lived, A Noble Youth. No Greater Love’. Teddy also continues to be remembered locally in the Auburn RSL Community Centre and on the Auburn Centenary Park Gates.
The ‘Northern Argus’ echoed the feelings of the community in their May 9th ’41 issue with the words ‘It is with deep regret that we have to chronicle the death of Private Edward George Hextall, of Auburn, aged 20 years, who was recently killed in action on active service abroad. The sad news was conveyed to his parents, Mr. S. G. and Mrs. Jessie Hextall, of Auburn, by the Commonwealth authorities last week, and the report of his passing while on duty in the Australian Imperial Forces, is deeply regretted by a large circle of friends in Auburn and adjoining districts, where the family is well known. The deceased soldier had five sisters and one brother, and we wish to extend our sincerest sympathy to the bereaved family, who have the consolation of knowing that he died with others so that we as a Nation might still win that Peace that passeth all understanding.’
The ripple effect on other communities was felt also in Peterborough where the local paper ‘Times and Northern Advertiser, Peterborough’ reported ‘He was a nephew of R. East (A.B., H.M.A.S. Perth) and Mrs. East (67 Queen Street, Peterborough West), and Mr. and Mrs. W. Adamson (21 Moscow St.). Deepest sympathy is extended to the bereaved ones.’ Similarly, the ‘Kadina and Wallaroo Times’ reported Teddy’s death and that he was ‘a grandson of Mr and Mrs J. W. East, of Kadina. He was a very likeable and popular boy with all who knew him, and was a true and loyal, son of the British Empire.’
Teddy’s family and friends continued to mourn his death and remember the sacrifice he had made.
Advertiser Saturday 3 May 1941, HEXTALL. —On the 18th of April, killed in action. Private Teddie. beloved son of George and Jessie Hextall, of Auburn, aged 20 years 11 months.
Advertiser Monday 5 May 1941, HEXTALL. —On the 18th of April, Edward George (Teddy), dearly beloved son of George and Jessie, and loved brother of Marion, Joyce, Phyllis, Winnie, Kathie and Billy, aged 20 years and 10 months. Killed in action.
Advertiser Friday 16 April 1943, HEXTALL—To the memory of our brother Ted, killed in action, April 18, 1941. —Inserted by Marion and Eric.
Advertiser Monday 19 April 1943, HEXTALL A tribute of love to Ted, killed on active service in Tobruk on April 18, 1941. Will always be remembered by Jim Cooper (A.I.F.)
Advertiser Saturday 17 April 1943 HEXTALL. —In loving memory of our dear brother and uncle. Teddy, killed in action in Tobruk. April 18, 1941. —Ever remembered by Joyce and Wallie and Betty and Wallie. HEXTALL. —In loving memory of Teddy, killed in action in Tobruk. April 18, 1941. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember him. —inserted by his parents. Winnie, Kathie, Billy. HEXTALL—In loving memory of Teddy, killed in action in Tobruk. April 18. 1941. A smiling face, a heart of gold, the dearest brother this world could hold. —Inserted by his sister. Phyllis. Jack and family.
Advertiser Monday 19 April 1943, HEXTALL. —A tribute of love to Ted, killed on active service in Tobruk on April 18, 1941. —Will always be remembered by Jim Cooper (A.I.F.)
Advertiser Tuesday 18 April 1944, HEXTALL. —In proud and loving memory of our beloved son and brother Ted, who was killed in action on April 18,1941. —Always remembered by mother, father, sisters and brothers.
Advertiser Tuesday 25 April 1944, HEXTALL. —An honored tribute to Teddy, killed at Tobruk, April 25, 1941. His manly form rests in a foreign grave, but his name will live with Australia's brave. —Remembered by an old school pal, SX3998 Sgt. D. W. Garrett. 2/27th Btn.
Advertiser Friday 18 April 1947, HEXTALL — In loving memory of my pal. Ted, who gave his life at Tobruk, April 18. 194L 2/48th Batt. A.I F— Inserted by Jim Cooper. Riverton.
With their three oldest daughters living in the Tintinara area, Samuel and Elizabeth moved there also in 1946 after the Hextall family had lived in Auburn for over fifty years. The local community presented the couple with a cheque from the Town and District – a measure of the esteem in which they were held.
Posthumously, Teddy was awarded the 1839/45 Star, African Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal medals in February 1953. His family was also presented with a scroll in May 1950.
Teddy’s mother, Elizabeth, aged 63 died on 25 May 1955 and was buried in the Tintinara Cemetery. Four years later, Teddy’s father, Samuel, aged 74 died on 3rd March 1959 and was buried at Centennial Park in Pasadena.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.